We are officially in the final month before World Championships, and the energy is definitely starting to build.
Training has been progressing really well over the last several weeks. Spending the summer training in Nice has been incredible—the roads, the climbs, and the scenery make putting in the big hours on the bike something I genuinely look forward to every day. It’s hard to beat the riding out here.
On the equipment side, I just put the finishing touches on my new time trial build for Worlds. There’s always that nervous excitement that comes with a fresh build, and I’m taking it out for its maiden shakedown ride tomorrow to get a feel for the position and see how everything responds. I feel like I’m in a great head space and physically in a really good spot heading into these championships. Having come so close in the past, the hunger is definitely there to put together the perfect race and go after the top step of the podium this year.
This week is all about the final details before travel. Outside of training, my days are filled with balancing school assignments, finishing up course homework, and making sure my race rigs are 100% dialed. There’s always a slight hurdle or two along the way—the tires I was planning to run aren’t going to arrive before I leave, so I’m currently pivoting and sorting out a reliable backup setup. Aside from that small equipment scramble, the checklist is pretty much cleared.
I fly back to the United States on the 31st, which means dealing with a massive time zone shift right before race week. I’ve been experimenting with pushing my sleep schedule a bit later here in Europe to start acclimating early and minimize the jet lag shock.
It’s going to be a unique feeling racing in Alabama. On paper, it’s a “home” World Championships because it’s on U.S. soil, but having been based in Europe for so long now, it almost feels like traveling to an away race. Either way, I’m really looking forward to getting back, lining up, and giving it everything.